Pune: Over 1,000 Join Silent Candlelight March Demanding Justice for 4-Year-Old Nasrapur Victim
Reported by Shoaib Tadvi
Pune, 10th May 2026: In a powerful display of collective grief and anger, over a thousand citizens participated in a silent candlelight march in Pune today to protest the brutal rape and murder of a four-year-old girl near Nasrapur in Bhor taluka of Pune district. The march, driven by the emotional Marathi rallying cry, “Chimurḍīlā Nyāya Miḷālāch Pāhije!” (The toddler must get justice!), saw massive participation, particularly from women.
Silent March from Balgandharva Chowk to Savarkar Memorial
The silent protest proceeded from Balgandharva Chowk to the Savarkar Memorial on Karve Road. No slogans were raised throughout the procession; instead, the palpable anger and pain on the participants’ faces conveyed their message. Citizens carried candles and placards, with many demanding the strictest possible punishment—including the death penalty—for the 65-year-old accused, Bhimrao Kamble.
Organizers noted that the silence was intentional: a mark of respect for the young victim and a sharp indictment of the system that failed to protect her.
“Enough is Enough”
The horrific incident occurred on May 1, 2026, when the four-year-old was lured by the accused with the promise of showing her a calf. He sexually assaulted her and then suffocated her by forcing a cloth into her mouth. Her body was later found hidden under a pile of cow dung. Medical reports have since confirmed that the cause of death was asphyxia.
The accused, a laborer, has a history of involvement in previous sexual offense cases, sparking fresh outrage over why a repeat offender was allowed to walk free.
Demands: Death Penalty and ‘Chhatrapati Shasan’
During the march, protesters raised two primary demands:
- Immediate capital punishment for the accused.
- The implementation of “Chhatrapati Shasan”—a strict governance framework advocating for tougher laws and swift justice for crimes against women.
Many also demanded the immediate enforcement of the Shakti Bill across Maharashtra. This rising tide of sexual violence against minor girls has reignited intense debates over women’s safety in the state.
Victim’s Father: “Kill Him There Itself”
The victim’s father, who was present at the protest, broke down while addressing the crowd. He thanked the public for standing by his family and delivered an emotional plea: “I want that [expletive] to be hanged as soon as possible. I request everyone—if this happens anywhere, and you catch the accused red-handed, kill him right there before the police even arrest him.”
Government Response
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has assured the public that the case will be heard by a fast-track court, and authorities will push for the maximum punishment. The accused has been remanded to police custody, with legal proceedings currently being conducted via video conferencing due to security concerns.
Public Sentiment
One protester summarized the prevailing mood: “This is not just about one case. We are fighting for our daughters, for our future generations—for all of us. If an accused already had a criminal record, why wasn’t he punished earlier?”
The march concluded peacefully, but left behind a clear and resolute message: the people will not remain silent until justice is served.
